Workity, health, and wood

Today, I am researching the shape and form of Russian Spindles. I made a cursory spindle last night.

I had never spun with a supported spindle that didn’t have a hook at the top. It was frustrating and my spindle didn’t seem to get much twist going… then I realized that perhaps it had something to do with the shape itself. Looked into it and discovered I left quite a bit of extra wood on that thing.

My next Russian spindle is going to be made of a Mexican Cordia (Bocote) tree again… and that’s certainly not a traditional wood. Birch was commonly available in Russian forests and I just happen to have bought some yesterday… So that’s where I’m headed next.